Welcome to the Orioles Nation Forums! Like most online communities, you must register to post on our message board. However, posting is free--it always will be--and registration is a simple process. Become part of the growing Orioles Nation community and register now!

The Pirates have acquired Russ Canzler from the Orioles, according to his agent, William Appleton (Twitter link; hat tip to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com). Kubatko tweets that the Orioles will receive right-hander Tim Alderson in the deal. The Orioles PR department has confirmed the move.

Canzler, 27, was designated for assignment when the Orioles acquired Alex Liddi (another DFA casualty) from the Mariners. In 374 plate appearances for Triple-A Norfolk this season, Canzler hit .276/.369/.430. Canzler is primarily a first baseman but also has significant experience in left field and at third base. The former has appeared in 29 big league games -- three with the Rays and 26 with the Indians.

Alderson, 24, was a one-time top prospect with the Giants after being selected 22nd overall in the 2007 draft. The Pirates acquired him in a trade deadline deal for Freddy Sanchez in 2009, and it was considered to be an impressive pull for the Buccos at the time of the deal. Alderson's star has faded, however, and after failing as a starter he's been shifted to the bullpen. In 29 relief appearances at Triple-A this season, he has a 2.43 ERA with 8.9 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9. He did not rank among the Pirates' Top 30 prospects in either of the past two seasons, according to Baseball America.

Not a bad trade getting a little something for nothing really. I do like the fact that he K's alot of batter but flicking through his stats at AAA and it seems that he struggles with runners on alot. His ERA with the bases empty is 1.37 and with runners on it goes up too 5.17. Is his action any different from the windup or the stretch or can he not hold baserunners, im just speculating as ive never seen him pitch?

Last edited by ljmillar22 on July 12th, 2013, 3:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.

ljmillar22 wrote:Not a bad trade getting a little something for nothing really. I do like the fact that he K's alot of batter but flicking through his stats at AAA and it seems that he struggles with runners on alot. His ERA with the bases empty is 1.37 and with runners on it goes up too 5.17. Anyone got any idea why this is?

It might be because, at that point, he questions his stuff and starts to nibble. When you do that you eventually HAVE to throw a strike and everyone in the park knows it's coming. See Arrieta, Jake.

I think I may understand the series of events that happened here. The Orioles found a very similar player to Russ Canzler, only a younger version in Alex Liddi. Without clear at-bats in Norfolk, and seeing a position of right-handed hitting utilities in surplus, the Orioles decided to ship the older one off for a relief role that needed filling, as Jairo Asencio was just promoted to Baltimore to replace Pedro Strop. I'd say there is a good chance we see Tim Alderson in Baltimore this season.

osforlife wrote:I think I may understand the series of events that happened here. The Orioles found a very similar player to Russ Canzler, only a younger version in Alex Liddi.

Agreed.

osforlife wrote:Without clear at-bats in Norfolk, and seeing a position of right-handed hitting utilities in surplus, the Orioles decided to ship the older one off for a relief role that needed filling, as Jairo Asencio was just promoted to Baltimore to replace Pedro Strop.

Agreed.

osforlife wrote:I'd say there is a good chance we see Tim Alderson in Baltimore this season.